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Vancouver and ???? with small children

I live in Mexico City and will be in Vancouver for 6 days in early August before taking a cruise to Alaska. I will be travelling with my wife and our two girls and would like to know the places we should not miss, and that might be adequate for children. We would like to visit the Vancouver area, it is our first time there, but would also like to go somewhere else. Some people have suggested us Whistler. As a citizen of a 20 million people city we are not very used to see trees, hahaha, so we would love to visit a place where we can be in touch with nature, swim in a lake, do some light hiking, a boat ride, while having our accomodation close in case my daughters get tired (the old one is six years old and the youngest will be 9 months old, but please don't think I am an irresponsible father, they love travelling!!). So my questions are: What can we do in Vancouver? Which other place can we visit? How many day should we spend in each place? Which is the best way to move around (driving, train, bus)? And, have you got any specific accomodation recommendation? Many thanks!

I can recommend Times Square Suites which is in downtown west side at Denham and Robson. Comfortable accommodations and a fully equipped kitchen. Very close to Stanley Park and the aquarium and the beach at English Bay. A supermarket and lots of restaurants nearby .

Vancouver has good public transit and a car would be costly to park and be a nuisance, in my opinion.

The little ferry to Granville would be fun for you and the kids. A ferry ride to Bowen Island is also a good way to get out of the city but as you will be going on a cruise perhaps not your first choice. Ferry terminal is easily accessed by public transit . Grouse mountain within Vancouver city limits is good for half a day.

Probably renting a car would be the best way to get to Whistler. It is basically an overpriced faux European resort town, in my opinion, but a ride up in the gondola is worth doing for the views and some hiking.

With just 6 days I wouldn't recommend a trip to Victoria and Vancouver Island. There is enough to see and do around Vancouver to keep you busy.

Cultus lake 1 1/2 hrs from Vancouver. nice lake, swimming, boating. I'm not sure what accommodation is available. Half an hour from there, Harrison Hot Spring, large lake, swimming, boating ,hiking, walking to hot springs. lots of accomadation. would have to rent car to get to either place.

Or go to Vancouver Island. Parksville, many place to stay, beautiful beach, at low tide can walk way out. again would probably need a car. Or stay in Vancouver, walk around Stanley Park. Lots of Hiking trails in Pacific Spirit Park. and for the kids the water park at Granville island. You could easily spend 6 days in Vancouver exploring. Early august will probably be good weather. So many places to see, Capilano Canyon, Lynn Valley park, Grouse Mountain, Pacific Spirit Park, and the Gem of Vancouver, Stanley Park

Wow, Ruben, you intimidate me and my thoughts when mentioning already being in a place with 20-million people.

For most anybody, I would suggest that to merely stay in Vancouver, Canada during that 6 days would be just dandy, especially before going on an Alaska cruise, which will have you fully immersed in nature.

In Vancouver, you can go a few minutes outside of the center of town and take a gondola car up the side of a mountain, and have plenty of nature up at the top. (grousemountain.com)

Indeed British Columbia does have lots of completely isolated places (in a province that is 35% larger than Texas, even though Texas has nearly 6 times as many people).

Too bad you can't get waaaaaaaay up north in short time, in BC... when you go far enough up there, all you find are trees, you, and the road you're on.

Perhaps your kids will be rather 'cooped-up' during the cruise... and maybe just allowing them to stay reasonably near to Vancouver, and explore lots and lots of local stuff, might be the best alternative given the long trip to get there, and the long and steady cruise to follow?

i think i'd recommend your first 3 nights in vancouver, then go up to whistler for 1 or 2 nights and your last night in vancouver, close to the cruise terminal. i don't often recommend whistler but considering where you are coming from, i think the scenery might be worth it to you. the drive up is very beautiful. you could either rent a car or look into public transportation. with only 6 days, you can't really go too far.

Sam, I agree with you, Kits would be my choice as well (and is for me too). Great beaches, great ocean side paths, great mini-ferry systems to and from Science World and the other side of the Creek, close to Stanley Park, close to Granville Island and the water park there, close to UBC and a wonderful park, Pacific Spirit.